"There is still some traffic waiting on the town side but I think most have turned around.
"Some people have parked their cars and walked home over the bridge."
A police spokeswoman said the Serious Crash Unit would examine the scene.
She confirmed there had been a serious two-car crash on State Highway 2 outside of Ōpōtiki near Woodlands Rd.
Emergency services are responding after being called to the scene about 3pm.
A St John spokeswoman confirmed two helicopters were at the scene along with three ambulances.
Initial indications were one person was critically injured, one seriously injured and two people were moderately injured.
The road is currently blocked and motorists are asked to avoid the area.
New Zealand Transport Agency have confirmed the road is now closed near the Waioeka River Bridge.
Motorists should expect delays or delay their journey.
A witness saw the two vehicles collide and had been waiting in the traffic which was "backed up for kilometres."
He said the site had been blessed and the serious crash unit had finished allowing motorists to now drive through.
